HR 4

Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)

Posted on 05/05/2025 09:17 a.m.

A House resolution
expressing the sense of the Minnesota House of Representatives reaffirming its
commitment to the strengthening and deepening of the sister ties between the state of
Minnesota and Taiwan.

WHEREAS, in 1984, the state of Minnesota established a sister-state relationship with Taiwan
and Minnesota and Taiwan have enjoyed strong bilateral trade, educational and cultural exchanges,
and tourism; and

WHEREAS, Taiwan shares the same values of freedom, democracy, human rights, the rule
of law, peace, and prosperity with the United States and the state of Minnesota; and

WHEREAS, the United States ranks as Taiwan's second-largest trading partner. Taiwan is
the seventh-largest trading partner of the United States, and bilateral trade reached more than $158.6
billion in 2024; and

WHEREAS, Taiwan imported $3.8 billion worth of United States farm products in 2024,
making it the fourth-largest market on a per capita basis among the top ten United States agricultural
export destinations, and the eighth-largest market for United States soybeans and corn; and

WHEREAS, due to its high-quality produce, the United States remains one of Taiwan's largest
sources of agricultural products, supplying more than one-fifth of the country's major agricultural
imports; and

WHEREAS, Taiwan and the state of Minnesota have enjoyed a long and mutually beneficial
relationship with the prospect of future growth, and Taiwan was Minnesota's ninth-largest export
market in 2024, with $644 million worth of Minnesota goods exported to Taiwan including top
exports of medical and electronic equipment, as well as machinery needed for the semiconductor
supply chain; and

WHEREAS, Taiwan provided more than 100,000 masks to Minnesota during the COVID-19
pandemic in a gesture of goodwill to help meet a global humanitarian need; and

WHEREAS, to strengthen the Taiwan-Minnesota bilateral economic relationship, it is essential
to support Minnesota businesses to enhance their economic engagement with Taiwan based on the
1979 Taiwan Relations Act (TRA), United States Code, title 22, section 3301. As Article 4, section
b, of the TRA stipulates that "wherever the laws of the United States refer or relate to foreign
countries, nations, states, governments, or similar entities, such terms shall include and such laws
shall apply with respect to Taiwan;" it is legitimate for Minnesota businesses to refer to Taiwan as
Taiwan in conducting their business ties with Taiwan; and

WHEREAS, the first agreement under the US-Taiwan Initiative on 21st Century Trade
negotiations officially came into effect on December 10, 2024, and negotiations regarding a second
agreement for a Bilateral Trade Agreement, the Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement, and
the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity between Taiwan and the United States are
still ongoing and important steps toward further strengthening bilateral trade between our countries,
thereby increasing Minnesota's exports to Taiwan and creating bilateral investment and technical
collaboration through tariff reduction and other trade facilitation measures; and

WHEREAS, Taiwan has undertaken a policy of integrated diplomacy, highlighting value-based
diplomacy, alliance-based diplomacy, and economic and trade diplomacy. Taiwan is capable of,
and willing to, fulfill its responsibilities and to collaborate with the world to address the challenges
of humanitarian aid and disease control; and

WHEREAS, during this year's Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Month,
we celebrate Minnesota's vibrant Taiwanese American community, which has enriched the state's
culture, cuisine, and commerce for decades; NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the State of Minnesota that it reaffirms
its commitment to strengthening and deepening the sister ties between the State of Minnesota and
Taiwan.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the State of Minnesota
that it reaffirms its support for the Taiwan Relations Act and supports Minnesota business to refer
to Taiwan as Taiwan.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Minnesota endorses Taiwan's efforts to secure the signing
of a Bilateral Trade Agreement, the Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement, and the Indo-Pacific
Economic Framework for Prosperity with the United States, and reiterates its support for a closer
economic and trade partnership between the State of Minnesota and Taiwan.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the State of Minnesota
continues to support Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organizations, such as UN,
WHO, ICAO, UNFCCC, and INTERPOL, which impact the health, safety, and well-being of the
people of Taiwan and the rest of the world, and supports Taiwan's aspiration to make more
contributions in international societies.